JAMES Whyte of Chester’s Soul Hair salon is one of six regional finalists for the Midlands Hairdresser of the Year Award in HJ’s 2010 British Hairdressing Awards.

Launched in 1984 by Hairdressers Journal International and sponsored for the past 26 years by Schwarzkopf Professional, the awards celebrate and reward the best of British hairdressing creativity, and have fast become the ‘Oscars’ of the hairdressing world.

To enter the competition, hairdressers working in salons throughout the UK have to submit four images, to fulfil the competition’s criteria, which is set down by Hairdressers Journal International.

James entered the Midlands Hairdresser of the Year category and has secured a place in the final of the awards.

He will now have to submit another four images, which will be judged along with the first four by industry experts, members of the British Hairdressing Awards Hall of Fame and hair journalists from the most influential, and fashion forward consumer magazines.

James will have to wait until Monday, November 22 to find out if he will be awarded the title when he attends a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House, a JW Marriot Hotel, London.

The winners of the fifteen specialist and regional categories, along with the prestigious British Hairdresser of the Year Award, will be announced by a leading media personality.

James said: “I was delighted when I received my letter telling me I had made it to the finals. This year has been an incredible one for the salon.

“To be recognised by your peers as being one of the country's leading hairdressers, and being involved in the British Hairdressing Awards is a wonderful feeling and a fantastic achievement.”